FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze which completely took hold of a barn in a village near Colchester for more than four hours.

Crews from the fire stations in Colchester, West Mersea, Tillingham, and Maldon were called to Pages Lane, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, just before 10.30am yesterday.

Arriving at the scene, they discovered a wooden barn housing several vehicles, including tractors and cars, was completely alight.

An investigation to determine the cause of the blaze was completed which was ruled to be accidental.

Firefighters determined the fire was started as a result of an electrical fault.

It was a difficult fire for the crews to tackle, with firefighters having to set up a water shuttle to tackle the huge blaze.

A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters were called to a barn fire in Pages Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, at 10.28am yesterday. 

"On arrival, crews reported that a wooden barn with several tractors and cars inside was 100 per cent alight. 

"Firefighters set up a water shuttle due to a difficult water supply."

They continued: "Crews surrounded the fire and worked to extinguish it by 2.45pm. 

"Firefighters believe the fire was caused accidentally by an electrical fault."